Right around the beginning of January, I finally decided to ditch my primordial Nokia phone and join the smartphone revolution. I’d had the same phone for years, since it had managed not to break and had always done a good enough job that I could put up with it, but the time had come, so I walked into the Vodafone Store in Bristol, old phone in hand.

They greeted me straight away and asked what I was looking for, then sat me down. After only a few minutes, one of their team came to get me – she was called Meg, and I remember that because she was brilliant.

She found a space where we could sit down, with a computer screen so she could show me everything that was going on. After we established that I was definitely after a smartphone, and I showed off my Stone-Age Nokia, she talked me through the available models and contracts, and even threw in a personal recommendation – not an upsell, just some honest advice. The whole thing felt very informal, friendly and easy-going, like a sit-down with a friend rather than some pressurised corporate upsell, and it made a lovely change from the norm when dealing with phone companies.

We upgraded my old contract (which was ancient enough not to be included as an option on their computer systems) and added data allowances and an iPhone 5 for only £23 per month! This was far cheaper than I was expecting, and really put a smile on my face. Meg took the time to explain a bit about my shiny new phone, and gave me a few tips to help me land on my feet in the fast-moving world of smartphone ownership.

After that I went home and started setting up the phone, transferring contacts and getting onto the wi-fi to download the apps I wanted. I waited for the phone to get signal as a sign that my number had been transferred successfully, but after two days, nothing had happened.

I did a little reading online about whether this was a common problem (and how to fix it) but the information was contradictory, so I decided to call the experts: Vodafone themselves.

I found the Vodafone customer care number online, and called them up, which involved more automated robo-menus that I would have liked, but after a few cycles of pressing “one” on command, I was through to a real, genuine human being (or another robot, but one which was far, far better at sounding human). Sadly, I can’t remember his name, but after several rounds of unhelpful automated phone lines, I was very happy to hear his voice.

He was very helpful and very clued-in, asking me exactly what the problem was and how long it had been going on, and reassuring me that it’s normal for a number transfer to take a day or more. He also suggested a very simple fix that I hadn’t found online, and had somehow failed to figure out myself: just rebooting the phone and allowing it to search for networks upon starting back up. Failing that, he said, I could call him back and we’d go from there. I ended the call and found my phone, before restarting it.

As it rebooted, I held my breath in anticipation. I couldn’t look. Then a text came through from the previous night. Success!

Starting with Meg in the store, and later with my unnamed hero on the phone lines, this was a great performance from Vodafone’s customer service departments. When the phone failed to connect, it looked like a failure on their part and could have resulted in a confused, annoyed customer, but their customer helpline really turned it around, from a stressful experience into a moment of great customer service.

Whenever I look at that shiny new phone, I’ll think of those Vodafone heroes.

Dan Goss is the editor of Customer Service Guru, When he isn’t writing about customer service, he likes to run around different shops looking for it in the wild.

Travelling is great fun and you are likely to make new friends along the way, but it is still important to keep in touch with family and friends back home. If you are visiting regular vacation resorts, this won’t be too much of a problem, but if you have plans to go backpacking around south-east Asia (or some other far-flung destination) it isn’t always easy to keep the lines of communication open.

At home, you have a choice of internet plans from the likes of http://www.attinternetplans.com/, but abroad the situation is very different and unless you stay in five-star hotels all the way, you need to get used to the idea that super-fast broadband is a thing of the past. So what is the solution?

Public Wi-Fi Hotspots

There are public Wi-Fi hot spots all over the world. Airports, railway stations, public buildings, restaurants and cafes more often than not offer Wi-Fi to their guests. Sometimes you have to provide an email address in order to log on; at other times the service is completely free to use for anyone in the vicinity. Either way, make the most of it by sending a few emails or checking into your social media accounts.

Internet Cafes

Internet cafes are useful if you don’t have a smartphone or iPad with you. You pay a small fee and have use of an internet enabled computer for an hour or more. You can use the time to update your travel blog, chat to friends and family online, or simply figure out where your next destination is going to be.

Inclusive Wi-Fi

Look for accommodation with inclusive Wi-Fi. Some hotels charge extra for Wi-Fi, which can be expensive, so make sure any available Wi-Fi is free if possible. However, what normally happens when Wi-Fi is ‘free’ is that usage is restricted. So you should be OK checking emails or logging into Facebook, but downloading a movie or watching YouTube for hours is out of the question.

Cheap Telephone Calls

In many countries you can buy a telephone calling card, which gives you discounted overseas call rates. To use these, you key in a code on a standard telephone and then make your call. This type of card can be very economical if you want to call home. Alternatively, buy a local SIM in whatever country you are visiting and make use of any discounted overseas call packages on offer.

Use Snail Mail

Don’t overlook good old-fashioned postcards. Family members and friends will be thrilled to receive a steady stream of postcards from whatever country you are visiting. And when you eventually return home, you will be reminded of all the fun things you did every time you see one of your postcards stuck to a refrigerator door.

Be aware of security issues when using public Wi-Fi connections abroad. Public Wi-Fi is not safe, so avoid doing your internet banking or accessing sensitive data online in case a hacker intercepts your communications.

Decorators encourage people to add some life to their spaces with colorful plants or fish tanks. This can prove challenging when you’re working with a desk or other tight space. While you may love the idea of watching a fish to decompress or bringing in a nice plant, you may not want to give up much of your office area. However, there are a few ways you can add interest to your office or small apartment without surrendering too much space.

Hang the Plants
If you really want a nice plant but don’t have the space for one on your desk, then shift gears and go with a little hanging planter. Set near a window for indirect light, this can be the perfect home for a philodendron that will trail down to add some color and texture to your area. However, you won’t have to surrender any of your personal space.

Natural Materials
You can bring a little life into a space by going with natural materials. Rather than plastic sheet shelves for sorting things, see if wicker baskets with linen liners will suit your needs. You’ll warm up the area and create a more functional space at the same time.

Movement and Water
A little desktop fountain can be a great choice for your desk or workstation. They take up very little space, and you just need a nearby outlet to power the system. You may enjoy the sound of falling water, and it can give you a quick and easy way to relax throughout the day.

Life and Color
It’s very soothing to watch fish swim to and fro, but most desks don’t have the space for a full aquarium. If you really only have room for a small fish bowl, then you’ll love the Biorb Life Aquarium. These clever systems give you the filtration power of a traditional aquarium with the small design of a simple bowl. They’re perfect for a range of small fish, and you can watch the fish occasionally throughout the day to prevent eye strain from using the computer.

While you may have a tight work area, you don’t have to forego the decorative accents. You’ll enjoy the space more when you add some life and interest to it, and you just may be more productive as a result. With these clever solutions, you can add some life and style to the smallest spaces.

From the earliest known dollhouse over 400 years ago, there has always been a certain reverence given to the miniature buildings and furnishings that inspire people to treat them with respect and covet them.  With the dawn of mass production many of today’s dollhouses are made from plastic and non-breakable material for children but authentic, handmade, intricate wooden dollhouses are still held in very high regard as a display item for the home.  If you have recently discovered the joy of these diminutive houses and their contents, then you might be surprised at just how wide the choices are when it comes to picking your first dollhouse.  Knowing how to buy a dollhouse for display begins with deciding what type, style and scale of dollhouse you want.

Types of Dollhouses

The range of options is so varied that from newbies to skilled collectors there will be a dollhouse to suit your vision.

Dollhouse Kits – Dollhouse kits come complete with all the parts needed to build an architectural masterpiece – from windows and doors to intricate crystal chandeliers. The end result though, lies entirely on your skill and imagination.

Finished Dollhouse – Finished dollhouses are dollhouses that have not only been built, but also completely decorated.  From the walls, the windows, the doors and the siding, to the chandeliers, the kitchen utensils and flower pots.  Finding your perfect finished dollhouse is a lot like finding your perfect home and you will have search until you find the right one.

Custom-Built Dollhouse – Just as someone would get a contractor and an architect to build them an actual house, a dollhouse can be custom made to your liking. This is a fantastic option if you have a vision but not the skill.

Styles of Dollhouses

As dollhouses are just small-scale replicas of life-sized houses, you can find them in various styles of modern and historical designs – from a traditional style house to an elegant mansion, or maybe even a castle.  Although you can purchase most any style of dollhouse, there are four styles that are more common.

American Style Dollhouse – A small-scale typical family home. Usually square with a triangular roof, five windows, and a door it normally has a living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, and a few bedrooms.

Victorian Style Dollhouse – In true Victorian style these have towering, precipitous oblique roofs; multiple roof tops; and elaborate trim or decked slanted boards accentuating the roof space.  The windows tend to be different sizes and shapes and may even protrude outward from the house.

English Style Dollhouse – Similar to the American style just a little less simple. This box style house is one that grows taller as opposed to longer.

Tudor Style Dollhouse – A lot of intricate handy work goes into making the least common, yet beautiful Tudor dollhouse. In creating a truly authentic look with pronounced wooden rafters, course white exteriors, tiled roofs, and leaded windows.

Choosing the Perfect Scale Dollhouse

The scale of your dollhouse will largely depend on the space you have available. The scale will affect how large or small the dollhouse is and how well it will fit in the room where it will be displayed. Buyers can choose among five different scales.

Full Scale – This scale is 1:12, meaning one inch on the dollhouse is equal to 12 inches in the real world. Most accessories and decorations are made to fit in houses of this scale because this is the most popular choice.

Half Scale – Half the size of the full scale – meaning that one inch equals two feet in real life, labelled 1:24. This would be a good fit for a smaller house or a house made with smaller rooms.

Quarter Scale – Even smaller is the quarter scale, 1:48. In this size one inch equals every four feet in real life so it is rather small, and made as a decoration more than something to play with.

Less than a Quarter Scale – This is the smallest scale of 1:144, or one inch to 12 feet, and is so tiny that it would fit in the palm of someone’s hand.

Article written by Melody Jane Dolls Houses

Established in 2002 Melody Jane Dolls Houses are delighted to offer a huge range of dolls houses, doll’s house furniture and dolls house accessories.

While a gym is a great place to spend some of your free time when looking to build muscle or just get good body shape, it is quite expensive. Going to the gym can also be a no for some people who have crazy working hours. The fact that home gym equipment are quite expensive is another reason why a lot of people wish and resolve to work out but never get to implement their resolutions. Dumbbells are the most common work out equipment for body building, strengthening the core and creating enviable abs. If these are your primary workout goals, there is no need to fret about going to the gym. All you need are adjustable dumbbells. Popular reviews suggest using the adjustable models for body building.

Adjustable Dumbbell Weights

The main reason why popular reviews suggest using adjustable models is mainly because with these models, it is possible to find a dumbbell that can hold a maximum of about 50 pounds in each weight which makes a total of a hundred pounds. There are also adjustable dumbbells that can carry heavier and lighter weights. This means that the dumbbells can be used by beginners as well as individuals who have advanced training. Beginners can start with the light dumbbells and advance to heavier ones later in their workout while those advanced in training can invest in a bit heavier dumbbells.

Types of Adjustable Dumbbells

It is possible to get automatic adjustable dumbbells. This is another reason why popular reviews suggest using adjustable models. The best thing about the automatic type of adjustable dumbbell is the fact that you only have to select the desired weight and the weight automatically increases or reduces on the dumbbell. This saves time compared to manual adjustable dumbbells. A good example of a quality automatic adjustable dumbbell is the Bowflex Select Tech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells. The Power Block Elite Dumbbells are also very cool kind of dumbbells. These type of dumbbells however has a selector pin which should be used while the dumbbells are positioned on their holders in order to adjust the weight. One thing that separates this dumbbell from the rest however is the fact that it is possible to buy expansion kit that allows you to increase the number of pounds without having to purchase a new set of dumbbells. If you do not want to invest in anything else however, it might be a good idea to go for the Ironmaster 75 Lb. Quick Lock Adjustable Dumbbell with stand. The good thing about this dumbbell is the fact that it comes with a weight range of 5-75 pounds meaning you do not have to purchase a new set of weights. The downside however is the fact that this dumbbell is manual. Other type of adjustable dumbbells that have received great reviews are the StairMaster Pair of TwistLock Adjustable Dumbbells and the Universal Power-Pak 445 Adjustable Dumbbells with stand.

Exercises done with Adjustable Dumbbells

Adjustable dumbbells can be used to tone the body and build muscles in various parts of the body. The dumbbells are effective for; chest, back, bicep, triceps, shoulder, hamstring, quadriceps and calve exercises.

I am always excited about each new year, because for me it is a chance to do something I have never done before. Personally I never know what 2016 is going to bring and I am always excited to live just to find out. I so much look forward to learning what 2016 has in store for me that I cannot wait for the next day to start.

I have to admit that I am really curious what 2016 is going to bring in terms of love. I have always been reading love horoscopes such as those Scorpio Love Horoscopes 2016 and I have to tell you that there is a lot of truth to them. I even remember when I was a teenager reading horoscopes was a huge part of my life. Back then, I would have to buy an actual newspaper or magazine to be able to read horoscopes, but these days all is different because all I need to do is to open my browser and visit some websites that offer me the possibility to read love horoscopes for the upcoming year. I have to admit that thanks to that things are a lot easier and a lot more convenient for me. I don’t even have to spend a penny on magazines compared to what it used to be in the past, which is a huge plus when you are on a budget.

My love life for this year looks bright and promising. If you are curious what this year has in store for you in terms of your love life, feel free to read all the horoscopes you can find once you visit the link above. And after the year ends, feel free to compare the events with the actual predictions. You will see that they came true once the year is already over.

Secret Santa has a bad reputation with some people. In some offices and friendship groups the tradition has turned a little stale, with people fed-up of novelty gifts and cheap stocking fillers. But we’re here to say that the Secret Santa tradition should be nurtured – Secret Santa is actually a great way to bring some festive cheer to the office or the extended family when you are on a budget. Here’s why Secret Santa still scores points.

1. You Save Money 

While you may think that you’ll only spend a small amount of money on each person, it quickly becomes clear that even the cheapest gifts all add up to some serious money at the end of the day. When you buy one Secret Santa gift you spend a little more on that one person, but that’s the only gift you have to think about. You can budget better and not end up broke by the end of the week.

2. No One Gets Forgotten

In the workplace or in big family groups it often happens that someone turns up to the gift giving party unexpectedly, and there is nothing for them in the gift pile. You end up feeling bad for the person who goes home empty handed, but it is really hard to keep track of everyone. A Secret Santa system helps ensure no one is left out and there is a little bit of Christmas cheer for all.

3. You Don’t Need to Find 10 Perfect Gifts 

Instead, you can find one perfect gift. If you don’t know people very well, in the office for example, it can be really hard to come up with gift ideas for 10 people or more. You may find one gift you love and that would be perfect for someone, but then spend hours wandering the store trying to get inspiration for the other nine. Save yourself the trouble with the Secret Santa concept.

4. You Can Set Spending Limits

A Secret Santa Gift shouldn’t be so cheap that it’s hardly worth receiving, but neither should it be so expensive you’ll need to save up in advance to buy it. Set a reasonable spending limit so no one feels overstretched. You’ll be surprised how creative people are when they have a spending limit to stick to. You get some great handmade gifts and ideas that are original and different.

5. Everyone Loves the Mystery

Make sure that no one reveals who they’re buying for until the giving – you could even try and prevent people from saying afterwards, too. It’s fun to guess who’s the one going out shopping for your gift. Plus, when you can’t tell anyone who you have, you must put in the effort yourself to find something they will like. It’s also fun at the gift exchange when you can try to guess who bought your present for you.

Image courtesy of Sira Anamwong / FreeDigitalPhotos.net